Naura's Tears
20. Naura's Story
Syarif didn't know whether to tell his friend, Adam, about what he had just discovered. However, he now realized that God is indeed just. This was evident: the suffering Adam had experienced was now being felt by Naura.
Syarif knew Naura very well. Adam had loved her since childhood. He also knew her as a good woman. However, after the incident at Kenanga Lake and Naura leaving Adam, Syarif realized that Adam's love for Naura was truly strong.
Naura left Adam and married a wealthy man, Sandi. Syarif didn't know the true reason for Naura's departure. However, it had left a wound in Adam's heart, making him a sick man.
If Naura had a heart, she would have at least come and tried to encourage Adam to recover. After her first visit with Sandi, her husband, she never came again, and there was no news from her.
Naura's husband remarried, and perhaps that was God's punishment for Naura. Syarif didn't want to think about the matter any longer. He simply let it go without telling Adam about Sandi's second marriage.
Let time reveal everything on its own. That was, if fate would allow Adam to find out for himself. Syarif could only pray for the best for his friend.
***
Monday through Friday, Diandra learned many things about everything. Her mother was always attentive to her, while her father, who was also busy talking at night, made time for Diandra.
Her brother, Elfan Hami, along with his wife and two children, also came and were surprised to see his only sibling walking and looking as if he had never been blind before. Elfan praised the alternative treatment method, and the two children immediately played and became close with their aunt, Diandra.
The family felt complete and happy, and Saturday arrived. Diandra asked her parents to go to Adam's village. Her soul kept calling, for some reason, she had to come here, like a magnet so strong her soul couldn't resist.
Diandra left with Aunt Jamilah. Fandi was still in the village, having to find information about Naura for Diandra. Diandra left and was immediately picked up by her uncle, Mr. Fandi, who had already arrived at the airport. They headed to Adam's house on Saturday afternoon.
They chatted with Halimah, Adam's mother. A closeness had developed over time, as Diandra faithfully visited on Saturdays and Sundays. Their relationship was now like that of a mother and daughter. Diandra felt comfortable asking Halimah anything and always inquired about Adam's progress.
Halimah enthusiastically shared that Adam was now responding to her frequently. Unlike before, when he would only whisper Naura's name.
As soon as Diandra heard Naura's name, her heart skipped a beat. What was Naura like that Adam was so infatuated with her? Was she like a beautiful angel? Could her beauty compare to Naura's?
"Oh, dear," Halimah interrupted her momentary reverie about Naura. "Regarding your promise and oath, you don't have to keep it, dear. It's a heavy oath because you know Adam is probably just a village boy and can't give you anything."
"Enough, ma'am," Diandra held Halimah's right hand with both of hers. "Fate will be determined by God; let that matter be left for later. My job is to accompany Adam until he recovers. No matter how long, he's the one who gave me a new life, so I'll give him a second chance."
Halimah couldn't help herself, stroking Diandra's hair. "You're a very caring and patient person, Diandra. May God always protect you and grant you happiness."
"Amen."
Diandra replied, knowing that Mrs. Halimah's prayer was the best, as happiness is what humans most seek. Some rich people are unhappy, and there are also poor people who live happy lives.
Happiness can't be bought with any amount of money. Diandra excused herself. She met with Fandi. They chatted at a restaurant near Adam's house with Aunt Jamilah.
"Tell me about Naura, Mr. Fandi?" Diandra closed the menu and ordered juice.
Fandi and Jamilah also ordered fruit juice, choosing the fruit they wanted. The waiter left and prepared their orders.
"Naura's husband remarried a week ago, Miss."
Fandi's first words shocked Diandra. The woman Adam loved left him and married a wealthy man in her village. And because of her good life, why did her husband remarry?
"Tell me everything you know in detail, Mr. Fandi." Diandra grew increasingly curious and ready to hear the story of Naura, whom Adam loved so much that she became a dazed person.
Fandi then shared what he had learned, starting with the story of Adam and Naura's sincere love. They had loved each other from the start, but didn't want to tarnish their love in the slightest. They only met on Sundays at Lake Kenanga, and even then, they never touched each other, wanting to preserve the purity of their love.
Touching would contaminate love, but only after marriage does love become legitimate, becoming a relationship of ownership, whereas before marriage, there was no ownership and no rights or obligations.
They were a couple deeply in love. Until the business run by Naura's father, Hasan, a trader who bought crops from farmers, went bankrupt, leaving him heavily in debt. Many people flocked to Hasan to collect their debts, but Hasan didn't have the money to pay them.
Hasan kept promising to pay his debts, but he needed time to raise the money. After a long time, Hasan couldn't raise the money, and he was threatened with prison if he didn't settle his debts.
At that moment, Rodin arrived to help, along with his son, Sandi. They would help Hasan pay off their debts and lend them Rp 500 million, provided Sandi could marry the woman he loved, Hasan's daughter, Naur.
That's how it all began. Naura left Adam and asked him to forget her and never pursue her again. However, this only left Adam in pain. Helpless to pursue love, but also helpless to face the days without Naura.
One thing Fandi also knew was that after more than two and a half years of marriage, Naura was still pregnant and childless. This was the reason her husband, Sandi, wanted to remarry so they could have children and continue the family business.
There were also reports that on Sandi's second wedding day, Naura was absent and stayed at home with her family. This certainly indicated their disapproval.
Diandra then asked for clarity regarding the location and everything about Naura. This time, she wanted to learn more about Naura and the origins of Adam's incident. What this woman, named Naura, was like made her incredibly curious about their story.
For some reason, Diandra's curiosity was overwhelming. Back when she was blind and paralyzed, she wanted nothing more than to hear stories from her mother and Aunt Jamilah about the world. Now, she had achieved everything, being able to walk and see again. However, her heart also seemed to yearn for more, and the wider her eyes were opened to the world, the more desires she wanted to achieve and fulfill.
The story of Naura and Adam also intrigued her, determined to see what kind of woman Naura was.
The drinks they ordered arrived, and they drank while continuing to chat. Diandra also gave Mr. Fandi the day off, saying he could return to the city tomorrow to be with his family again, and also to thank him for doing a good job.
***
Diandra immediately headed back to Adam's house, not bothered by the condition of Adam's modest home. Together with Aunt Jamilah, they sincerely helped Halimah with her work.
Halimah felt happier now that there was a woman in her home who was willing to help. She always remembered how, before his illness, Adam had always helped her with all the housework. Only after being ill, all the housework was always done alone with sincerity.
Despite her difficulties, Diandra helped Halimah with whatever chores she could. That was sweeping, cleaning utensils, and washing dishes. Halimah forbade Miss Diandra from helping her, but the more Diandra was forbidden, the more she wanted to do it, because she felt like she was trapped in darkness and couldn't go anywhere.
Halimah couldn't stop Diandra, and in fact, she felt that having a daughter was indeed very enjoyable. Perhaps, when Adam came to his senses and got married, his wife would be able to help him with everything he did.
So... who would Adam marry? Would Diandra really want to marry Adam, and would Adam also want to marry Diandra? After all, Adam had always loved Naura deeply, even to the point of being like this.
Let it be! Halimah no longer thought about it; she knew God would definitely provide the best for Adam.
"Are you daydreaming again, Mom?" Halimah seemed to wake up from her reverie; it turned out Diandra had already noticed her daydreaming. "It's okay, Diandra. I just always think of Adam's happiness because his happiness is everything to me."
"That's right, someone as good as him deserves to get well and be happy. He shouldn't be in pain for too long. Don't worry, Mom, Diandra won't leave Adam until he's completely healed."
"You are truly an angel sent by God to our home, Diandra. It seems God has written everything for you to come here to heal Adam's illness."
"It was God who sent Adam to me, Mom. Diandra can't imagine how I can now see this vast world for myself. I never imagined what colors and shapes humans looked like."
The two of them smiled at each other. From a distance, Aunt Jamilah, who always accompanied her, also smiled as she wiped the table. She felt happy because Diandra was happy too. Since childhood, she had always taken care of Diandra, so through Diandra's ups and downs when she was blind and paralyzed, she knew best how curious Diandra was, always asking her questions about everything. "Oh, ma'am, can Aunt Jamilah and I stay here this Sunday night?"
Halimah was shocked to hear this. Diandra was the daughter of a very wealthy man, according to her. Furthermore, her house was so simple, with only two bedrooms, and the other was in the living room, with only a bed. So how were Diandra and Jamilah supposed to sleep there?
"No, Diandra, you know this house is very small. So how are you supposed to sleep here?"
Diandra smiled again, "It's okay, ma'am. We'll order a bed and a bedroom here later. Then we can sleep in this living room."
"But dear..."
"It's okay, ma'am, don't worry," Diandra said, not wanting to make Halimah think too much and make her uncomfortable. Diandra had already ordered a spring bed from Fandi and had it delivered to Adam's house. It would probably be delivered to Adam and Halimah's house this afternoon.
Halimah, once again, couldn't stop Diandra from staying overnight. Although she felt happy and content, she had someone to talk to at night. She usually only talked to Adam, though he only answered one of her questions, and sometimes didn't answer at all.